CBI arrests BJD MP, 2 ex-MLAs in chit fund scam case

New Delhi: BJD Lok Sabha MP Ramchandra Hansdah and two former MLAs were on Tuesday arrested by the CBI in connection with a chit fund scam case--an off shoot of Saradha scam--for allegedly duping thousands of investors through a company founded by them.

The agency arrested Hansdah, MP from Mayurbhanj in Odisha, along with Subarna Naik--former MLA of BJD and Hitesh Kumar Bagartti--former BJP MLA in connection with the scam.

The trio were alleged to be founder directors of Nabadiganta Capital Services which ran the chit fund through which thousands of investors were allegedly duped.

CBI sources said the three politicians have been arrested by its Special Investigation Team for alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating and diversion of funds.

The agency had on October 26 arrested the CMD of the ponzi company, Anjan Baliarsing, and directors Pradeep Patnaik and Kartik Parida in connection with a case registered against the company.

Nabadiganta Capital Services is one of the 44 companies under the scanner of the investigating agency for its alleged involvement in the multi-crore chit fund scam in Odisha.

The politicians had claimed that they had resigned from the firm as directors in 2012, but the resignations were accepted only last year.

While the trio had pleaded innocence and alleged that they had been framed by the ponzi company, the Nabadiganta CMD had told reporters, "The leaders are not children who can be framed. I have submitted all evidence to the CBI relating to their involvement in the company affairs."

CBI has formed a Special Investigating Team (SIT) headed by Joint Director Rajeev Singh to also probe the role of Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and RBI.'